Entertainment/Theatre

Item Description

The stunning SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley may look all grown up, but the truth is that they love it when little music lovers fill up their seats. And while they emphasize that all ages are welcome to any show at the center, they throw an extra-special monthly matinee aimed right at families. We've even provided a High School All Stars CD for the perfect primer for your budding jazz cats.  Read on for all the harmonious details!

Big Names for Little People
Ever since SFJAZZ opened its doors, they have presented an incredible rotating roster of musicians. Regular shows can be more than 2 hours.  But each month, one performance is shrunk down to a kid-friendly one hour.  These family matinees kick off at 11 am on Saturday, and are more casual and more interactive, but otherwise feature the same talented musicians as the evening shows.

One recent show featured the celebrated SFJAZZ Collective playing Michael Jackson—yes, that Michael Jackson. The engaging host even sported her own white sparkly glove. In addition to funny and informative stories and explanations from each musician throughout the show, there was a Q&A period at the end, where not only did in-house audience member get to ask questions, but dozens of families from local Bay Area libraries, where the show was live streamed, got to chime in in real time, via a huge screen in the auditorium. Audience members ranged in age from newborns to octogenarians, and everyone had plenty of patience (and even some humor) for crying kiddies or talkative toddlers.

The After Party
Almost as good as the show itself is the free family workshop that takes place in a smaller performance space right after the show. Only 50 people are allowed in, so it’s a much more interactive and intimate experience, and especially fun for younger kids. The key is signing up as soon as you arrive at the theater, ideally 15-20 minutes before showtime, as the list fills up quickly. For the most recent event, a handful of musicians joined provided the score for a lively 30 minute dance class, where everyone learned a popular playground dance from the 50s. There were also instruments to try out and plenty of face time with the professional musicians.

Details, Details
Famiy Matinees take place once a month and run September through June (excludes December).  Find out more at sfjazz.org/education/family-matinees.  Contact information for acquiring tickets to the show of your choice available upon purchase.

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Purchaser responsible for shipping costs.  Item will be shipped via USPS or US Mail unless requested otherwise.  Purchaser may be contact via email to arrange for shipping or pick-up.